Move Quickly in Word Tables using Navigation Keyboard Shortcuts
by Avantix Learning Team | Updated August 21, 2022
Applies to: Microsoft® Word® 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021 or 365 (Windows)
If you work a lot with tables in Microsoft Word, it's helpful to learn to move around quickly using your keyboard. Check out this list of helpful keyboard shortcuts to speed up navigating in tables.
Recommended article: 10 Microsoft Word Tips, Tricks and Shortcuts for Selecting in Tables
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1. Move to the next or previous cell
To move to the next cell in a row, press Tab. To move to the previous cell in a row, press Shift + Tab. You can also use the arrow keys to move to cells.
2. Move to the next or previous row
To move to the next row in a table, press the down arrow. To move to the previous row in a table, press the up arrow.
3. Move to the last cell in a row
To move to the last cell in a row, use the up or down arrow keys to move to the row and then press Alt + End.
4. Move to the first cell in a row
To move to the first cell in a row, use the up or down arrow keys to move to the row and then press Alt + Home.
5. Move to the next or previous column
To move to the next column in a table, press the right arrow. To move to the previous column in a table, press the left arrow.
6. Move to the first cell in a column
To move to the first cell in a column, use the right or left arrow keys to move to the column and then press Alt + Page Up.
7. Move to the last cell in a column
To move to the last cell in a column, use the right or left arrow keys to move to the column and then press Alt + Page Down.
8. Move to the first cell in a table
To move to the first cell in a table, press Alt + Home to move to the first column and then press Alt + Page Up.
9. Move to the last cell in a table
To move to the last cell in a table, press Alt + End to move to the last column and then press Alt + Page Down.
10. Add a new row at the end of the table
To add and move to a new row at the end of table, press Tab in the last cell of the table. This will automatically create a new row.
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